Pneumatic pump



Sept. 1, 1925.

J. J. BROWN PNEUMATIC PUMP Filed Jan. 25, 1924 3'SheetsSheet 1 Quorum? Sept. 1, 1925. 1,551,639

- J. J. BROWN PNEUMATIC PUMP Filed Jan. 25, 1924 s Sheets-Sheet 2 IIII IIIIIII ll lll I I I I I I I! .I I I I I I I I &

I I I I I I I IIIIII I'I I'I I F- .EJI'cIwn.

Sept; 1, 1925. w 1,551,639

J. J. BROWN PNEUMATIC PUMP Filed Jan. 25, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I Patenfed Sept. 1, 19 25.

V To all whom it may concern:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.rozm J. iii-town, or cnrcaeo, rumors.

PNEUMATIC PUKP.

Applicatlon filed January as, 1924; Serial no. team.

- the provision of an improved type of pneumatic pump apparatus contemplating the provision of liquid dispensing compartments cooperatively arranged in sets and embodying cooperating mechanlsm operated by air pressure to alternately permit the emptying and refilling of the tanks in a practical and effective manner.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a pneumatic pumfp apparatus embodying submerged sets 0 dispensing compartments which have air pressure operated control'mechanism therein automatically operable, upon the turning of a faucet to withdraw water therefrom, to supply water in, continuous manner therefrom.v A further object of this invention is the provision of novel pump apparatus of the above mentioned character which contemplates the provision of novel float control means for regulating intercommunication of air pressure/ between the compartments of the submerged tanks for proper regulation of air pressure, whereby the tanks may be alternately emptied and refilled.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a vertical'cross sectional view taken through the improved submerged pump apparatus, showing the provision of liquid storage and dispensing tanks arranged in a set, showing mechanism in one of the tanks in position .to permit refilling of the tank, while the other tank mechanism is in position to permit withdrawing of water from the tank.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view taken through the submerged tank apparatus illustrated in Figure 1, however, showing one of the tanks in condition for the withdrawal of water therefrom, while the other tank is filled and with its arts in position to be cooperatively acte upon, upon intercommumcation of the pressure means from the first mentioned tank.

Fig. 3'is a plan view of the improved apparatus.

Figs. 4- and 5 are transverse cross sectional views taken on their respective lines in Figure 1 of the drawings, and

Fig. 6 is a view, partly in cross section, showing certain air pressure regulatin means necessary to permit the practica operation of the pump apparatus.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown but the preferred embodiment of this invention, the letter A may: generally designate the improved pneumatically operated pump apparatus, which preferably includes tanks B and 0 arranged in cooperation; each of the same including a water or liquid inlet valve construction D; outlet conduit E; air pressure valve construction F; and air exhaust valve construction G. The tanks B and C preferably have a pressure communicating construction H; and each of the same are preferably provided with a float K having respectively cooperating therewith mechanism L which said floats operate to properly actuate the air pressure valve constructions F; air exhaust valve construction G; and to control pressure communication through the means H.

The tank constructions B and C preferabl each comprise a cylindrical casing or bo y portionlO, which provides a compartment 11 for the tank-B, and a compartment 12 for the tank 0. The tank casings 10 are open at their upper and lower ends, and a top plate 15 is provided as a common member for the tank casings 10, and a bottom member or base 16 is likewise provided as a common member for the tank casings 10.'

These members 15 and 16 are provided with annular recesses therein to receive the upper and lower ends of the tank casings 10 in inserted. relation therein, and wherein they rest upon gaskets. Tie rods 18 extend from the top 15 to the base 16 either within or without the tank compartments 11 and 12, for the purpose of firmly afiixing the top and base, 15 and 16, to the easings 10 in order to provide the tanks B and C, and to enclose the compartments '11 and 12 respectively thereof.

Each of the valve constructions D 1ncludes a valve body 25 pivotally mounted as by a pin 26 upon an upstanding bracket 27 formed integral with the base 16; the bracket 27 preferably having a bevelled face or other surface 28 thereon against which the body 25 of the valve D may contact to lim1t the open amplitude of movement of the valve with respect to the water inlet openlng 30 which is provided in the base 16 for the valve D. The valve body 25 is recessed upwardly from the lower surface thereof, and is provided with packing 31 in this recess;

.a metal or other rigid t pe of washer 32 preferably being provide and clamped by means of a screw 33 over the packing material 31, to leave an annular portion of the packing 31 exposed for abutment with an annular extension 35 which is provided inwardly of the tank compartment and about the inlet opening 30. Each valve D has a float engaging bracket 37 connected upon the upper surface of the body port1on 25 thereof, and which has a bifurcated end providing a recess 38 adapted to-receive a ortion of the lower float rod 80 above the all 81 in a cooperating relation therewith, and as will be subsequently described.

The improved pump apparatus A is, of course, submerged in a well or other body of water, and is adapted for use in an environment such as is well defined in my pneumatic pump for water systems patented March 29, 1921, Patent No. 1,372,931. It is therefore apparent that, due to the fact that the tanks B and C are submerged in the body of water from which they are to withdraw liquid, that the liquid adjacent the inlet openings 30 of the tanks B and C is under pressure and will readily open the valve constructions D, if the compartments in these tanks B and C are under atmospheric pressure, or a less pressure than that exerted by the head of water in the well in which the apparatus is submerged.

Each of the tanks B and C is provided with an outlet conduit E, which is connected to the to plate 15 and extends inwardly through t e compartments 11 and 12 of the tanks B and C, and at their lower ends the conduits E are open adjacent the bottom or base 16. Exteriorly of the top 15 the conduits E are connected by a cross conduit 40, and from this cross conduit 40 a single conduit 41 leads upwardly to any desirable location to which it is contemplated to con vev liquid from the pneumatic pump.

eferring to the air valve construction F for each tank B and C, the top plate 15 is preferably provided with ports 42 and 43 therein which respectively communicate with the compartments 11 and 12, and reciprocably receive therein valves 44 and 45 respectively,

of similar formation. Each of these valves 44 and 45 includes a head portion 46 which operates within the enlarged portion of the ports 42 and 43, and a reduced shank portion 47 which extends through a lower reduced portion of its respective port, so that the heads 46 of the valve members 44 and 45 may rest on an internal annular shoulder when they are closed in said ports, and when in this osition the lower ends of the stems or shan s 47 extend into the respective compartments of the tanks B and C in which they are located. Conduits 48 and 49 are respectively connected in the top plate 15 with the ports 42 and 43, and these conduits 48 and 49 at their upper ends are connected to a suitable casing 50 of a three way valve or cock 51. A common air pressure supply pipe 52 also communicates with the three Way casing 50, and a valve 53 is rotatably mounted in the casing 50, having ways 54, 55 and 56 therein normally adapted for alignment with the ways 57, 58 and 59 respectively of the casing 50; the ways 57 58 and 59, of course, respectively communicating with the conduits or pipes 48, 52 and 49. With this three way valve or cock 51 air ressure may be fed from the conduit 52 into both of the tank compartments, or selectively into either tank compartment, which latter condition is sometimes necessary in order to start operation of the pneumatic pump apparatus. The conduit 52 of course is connected. with any suitable air pressure supply tank (not shown).

In connection with the air exhaust valve constructions G for each tank B and C, the top 15 is provided with air pressure exhaust ports 60 therein for each compartment 11 and 12, and within the compartments of the tanks B and C, and adjacent each exhaust port 60, a de ending bracket 61 is carried, which pivotal y supports an exhaust valve member 62. Each of the exhaust valve members 62 is pivoted upon a pintle 63 which is carried by the spaced lugs 64 of the bracket 61. Each valve 62 on the opposite side of its pivot has a weight 65 extending outwardly therefrom in L-sha ed relation, and the gravity tendency of wh ch is to close the valve 62 over its respective port 60.

Referring to the pressure communicating structure H, ports 68 and 69 are provided in the top plate 15 for the compartments of the tanks B and C respectively, and depending respectively from these ports 68 and 69 are nipples 70 and 71, which extend into the compartments 11 and 12 respectively for cooperation with float controlled valves 72 and 73 respectively, as will be subsequently described. A substantially U-shaped conduit 75 connects the ports 68 and 69, exteriorly of the plate 15, and through which conduit pressure from one tank to the other may be conveyed, to perform certain operating functions of the pneumatic pump, as will be subsequently described.

Each tank B and C has a float K in its compartment and this float may be of any approved formation and capacity. At lts lower end each of the floats K has a depending stem 80, with a stop 81 of ball or other preferred shape on the lowerend thereof. An adjustable guide, bracket 82 is rovided for the stem 80 of each float K, t e guide bracket 82 being adjustably carried by the outlet conduit E within its respective compartment; a set screw 83 preferably being provided for each bracket 82 to clamp the same in a desired position along the outlet conduit E. The purpose of the shank 80 and the spherical head 81 is for cooperation in therecess 38 of the retaining bracket 37 whereby the float K may be maintained in a definite submerged relation within its respective tank during refilling of the tank, and until the tank has refilled.

Referring to the float operating mecha-- nism for each tank, a float operated lever 85 is provided, which at one end thereof has the spaced fingers 86, apertured in aligning relation for the pivotal mounting of the lever 85 upon the pintle 63 of. the exhaust valve 62. The lever 85 extends diametrically acrossthe compartment in the tank m which it is positioned, and intermediate its ends it is laterally enlarged and provided with a screw threaded recess therein for receiving a valve for cooperation as a part of the pressure communicating construction H. Thus, the valve 72 is fixed on that lever 85 which is in the compartment 11; whereas the valve 73 is .similarly carried by the lever 85 which operates within the compartment 12. The valves 7 2 and 7 3 consist merely of a packing disc 86 clamped in the aperture provided in the lever 85, by means of a screwed plug 87 and substantially as is designated by numerals in Figure 2 of the drawings. Thus, upon upward movement of the lever arm- 85 the packing disc 86 will be moved into a sealing relation over the exposed end of the nipple 70, to seal the compartment 11 agalnst communication with the compartment 12, and the purpose of which will be subsequently described in detail in the operation of the invention.

At its free swinging end the lever 85 is pivotally connected, by a pin 89, to a float centering or guide arm 90, so that the arm 90 may move in operation below the lever 85. At its free end the lever or guide arm 90 is bifurcated, providing thefinger portions 91 whereon with a space therebetween, and in which space is received the lever 85, so that the lever 85 and arm 90 may have a definite moving relation at all times, and may not move laterally away from each other. The float centering or guide arm 90, for each of the mechanisms L is provided 1 with a lateral extension 92 thereon, provided with a sc1'ew threaded opening therein, and which 1s adapted to receive a connecting rod 95 for attachment of the float K in a fixed relation to the guide arm 90.

It 'is to be noted that the lever 85 is movable with respect to the exhaust valve 62 w th which it cooperates, and it is provided withupwardly and downwardly extending lugs or lobes 95 and 96 respectively, which are adapted for cooperation with the exhaust valve 62 on opposite sides of the pivot axis of the exhaust valve, and to effect the closmg and opening movement of the exhaust valve in accordance with the movement of the float operated lever 85, and as will be subsequently described. It is of course to be noted that there is certain lost movement or play in the relative positioning of the exhaust valve 62 and its respective float operated arm 85. The outer end of the float arm 85 cooperates against the air-pressure valve in the same compartment within which it is placed. 1

Referring to the operation of this invention, assuming the improved pneumatic pump apparatus to have been properly installed and submerged in a well or body of water similar to that illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, when the air pressure valve of one tank, such as the tank B in Figure 2 of the drawings is open, the pressure may enter the tank compartment. As the inlet valve D for the liquid or water is closed, and as the exhaust valve 62 is closed over the exhaust port 60, and as the valve 72 is closed over the nipple with which it cooperates, the only escape for the liquid from the compartment 11 will be through the outlet conduit E, and when a person opens a faucet the liquid will be withdrawn from the tank compartment 11, as can readily be understood, incident to the pressure action of the air. As the water in ,movement of the lever 85 and its arm 90.

However, incident to the fact that atmospheric pressure exists in the tank C, or pressure, which is at any rate less than the pressure in the tank B, the valve 72 will be held seated over the communicating passageway between the tanks B and G, and will thus suspend the float K notwithstanding the tendency of the float to drop by gravity when the body of liquid in the compartment 11 is lowered. In this connection it should be understood that the buoyancy ofthe float K is not very great, nor is the weight of the same excessive. However, there is a point at which the weight of the float K will overcome the tendency of air pressure in the compartment in which it is positioned to hold the valve over the communicating passagewayclosed, and when this point has been reached the liquid level in the tank has dropped to the desired low level, and the float K incident to its weight will pull the float centering arm 90 and free end of lever 85 downwardly. The operation of the improved pneumatic pump at this stage is very important. By referring to tank C it will be noted that notwithstanding that the float K is submerged in this compartment 12, the force due to the buoyancy of this float K in the compartment 12 is not suflicient to raise the air pressure inlet'valve 45, because of the fact that the pressure in the conduit leading to the valve 45 is much greater than the pressure which exists in the tank C. In this position of the float arm 85 which is located in the compartment 12 of tank C, the lever arm valve 73 is spaced from its nipple 71. The tank C is, of course, filled with water, and the counterweight 65 maintains the exhaust valve 62 closed. Referring again to the tank B, at the point where the lever arm 85 has dropped to open the port 68 to the compartment 11, the fact that the air pressure in compartment 11 is very high will cause this pressure to pass through the pressure communicating construction H and to enter the compartment 12, equalizing the air pressure in these compartments. Immediately upon the happening of this the force incident to the buoyancy of the float K in the compartment 12 overbalanced the air pressure inlet valve 45 which communicates with the tank C, and this valve L5 is thrown open, permitting air pressure to enter the compartment 12. Of course, the valve 73 is then closed, shutting off communication between the tanks B and C, and the tank C is then in condition to have its supply of liquid dispensed.

The action of the float operated mechanism L, as above described for the tank B,

-is instantaneous, and the valve 72 is opened from its port just prior to the closing of the air pressure inlet valve 4 1, so that the air pressure may pass the valve 44 and enter the compartment 11 and be thence trans' ferred to the compartment 12 through the pressure communicating construction H to perform the function above described. \Vhen the lever arm 85 has moved downwardly suflicient to allow the valve 4 1 to close, the float K of course descending during all of this time, the lug or lobe 96 engages the exhaust valve 62 below its pivot axis, and opens the exhaust valve, permitting any air pressure which exists in the compartment -11 to pass through the exhaust port 60 and out through the conduit in communication therewith so that this air pressure will be led to a point above the water level of the body of water in the well. When the exhaust valve in either of the tanks is so opened to permit atmospheric pressure to exist in that tank, the water inlet valve D will be automatically opened by the water pressure existing in the well in which the pump apparatus is submerged, and as is obvious, water will enter that tank to refill the same. As is illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, the valve D is opened into an inclined relation during the refilling of the tank, and it is to be noted that the valve D when in this open relation holds the float K downward in a fixed relation as long as the valve D is open, and notwithstanding that the float K will be entirely submerged in the tank, said float is held in a submerged relation until the tank is filled. When the tank is filled, however, the pressure of the water entering the tank is not asserted to any considerable extent upon the valve D, and it will close by gravity, and release the float K so that. it may rise upwardly into substantially the position as is illustrated for the float K in,

the tank C in Figure 2 of the drawings. As above stated the force incident to the buoyancy of the float K is not suflicient to openthe air pressure valve, and equalizing of. pressure must exist at both of its sides befor the air pressure valve under these circumstances may be lifted.

It is apparent from the above description that the operation of the mechanism in the tanks B and C is automatic, and the tanks are alternately exhausted and replenished of the liquid therein. While the principle of this invention has been illustrated as applied to a set of tanks which are located side by side, yet the tanks may be arranged in tandem relation, that is superposed in axially aligning relation, or in any other relation which is necessary. In relatively wide and shallow wells the sets of tanks may be disposed as illustrated in the drawings, whereas for wells of narrow width the tanks will have to be in a superposed relation. However, the operating mechanism may be the same in both instances.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be made to the form of the invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of this invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A pneumatic pump comprising a set of submerged receptacles including water outlets, means establishing air pressure communication between the compartments of said receptacles, air pressure inlet valves for each of the compartments, air exhaust valves for each of the receptacle compartments, a float for each receptacle, and float operated valves for each receptacle for regulating the air pressure communication between said receptacles.

2. A pneumatic pump comprising a set of submerged receptacles including water outlet means, means establishing air pressure communication between the compartments, valves for-cooperation in each of the compartments over said communicating means, a float in each of the compartments for controlling said valves, air pressure valves for said con'ipartments, and air exhaust valves for said compartments.

3. A pneumatic pump comprising a set of submerged receptacles, water outlet conduits for the receptacles, means placing the compartments of the receptacles 1n air pressure communication at the tops of the receptacles, air pressure inlet valves for each of th receptacle compartments, air exhaust valves for each of the receptacle compartments, a float for each receptacle compartment, valves for the communicating means operable in each of the compartments, float controlled means for operating said air pressure inlet valves, exhaust valves, and valves for regulating air pressure communication between the compartments, whereby watei in the receptacles may be alternately displaced and replenished.

4. A pneumatic pump apparatus comprising a set of liquid submerged receptacles providing compartments therein, inlet valves in each receptacle, liquid discharge tubes for the receptacle compartments, air pressure inlet valves for each compartment, means communicating the compartments of the receptacles so that air pressure may pass from one compartment to the other, regulating valves in each compartment for said last mentioned means to control such communication, exhaust valves for each com: partment, a fioatfor each compartment, and valve actuating means operable by said floats to regulate the relative actuation of the air pressure inlet valves whereby the communieating compartments of the receptacles may be alternately replenished and displaced.

5. A pneumatic pump apparatus comprising a set of tanks, water inlet valves for the tanks, air pressure inlet valves for each of the tanks, exhaust valves for each of the tanks, means providing a communicating passageway between the tanks whereby air pressure may pass from one to the other, valves in each of the tanks for controlling said communicating passageway, a float for each tank compartment, means actuating the exhaust valves to normally close the same, and means operable by rise and fall of the float in each of the tanks to regulate positive closing and opening of the exhaust valve, closing and opening of the valve for the communicating passageway of the tanks, and for actuation of the a1r pressure valve, the tanks being so related that they may be alternately discharged and refilled, the tank which is bein refilled having its air pressure valve close and exhaust valve open, the floats .of said valves bearing such a relation to the body of liquid in which they may be disposed that the force incident to submerging "the same will not of itself be sufficient to unseat the air pressure control valve when its tank is under less air pressure than the other tank.

6. A pneumatic pump comprising a set of tanks, water inlet means for the tanks, means for' withdrawing water from the tanks, air pressure control valves for each of thetanks, means providing a communicatlng passageway between the tanks, valves 1n each of the tanks for regulating the communicating passageway with respect to said tanks, exhaust valves in each of the tanks, means normally retaining the exhaust valves closed, a. lever pivoted in each of the tanks including lugs thereon for operating the exhaust valve to hold the same in an open or closed relation dependmg upon positioning of the lever, said lever in each of the tanks being adapted to support the communicating passageway valve thereon, a float for each tank, and a float guide arm pivotally connected to the free end of said lever in each tank and to the float with a fixed connection, the float during discharge of water from a tank being adapted to hold the lever and float guide arm in such relation within the tank to positively maintain the communicating passage way closed, and the air pressure valve open. 7 A pneumatic pump apparatus comprislng a set of tanks, a water inlet valve for each tank, an air pressure inlet valve for each tank, an exhaust valve for each tank, means providing a communicating passageway between the tanks whereby the air pressure may pass from one tank to the other, a valve in each of the tanks for controlling said communicating passageway, a float for each tank compartment, means actuating the exhaust valve to normally close the same, and means operable by rise and fall of the float in each of the tanks to regulate posi tive closing and opening of the exhaust valves, closing and opening of the valves for the communicating passageway of the tanks, and for actuation of the air pressure valves, the tanks being so related that they may be alternately discharged and refilled, the tank which is being refilled having its air pressure valve closed and exhaust valve open, the floats operating valves bearing such a relation to the body of liquid in which they may be disposed that the force incident to submerging the same will not of itself be suflicient to unseat the air pressure control valve until sufiicient of the pressure holding the air pressure. control valve closed is equalized by pressure through the intercommunicating passageway from the other tank, sothatthe force incident to buoyancy of the float may unseat the same.

8 A pneumatic pump comprising a-set of,

submerged receptacles, water outlet conduits for the receptacles, means placing the compartments of the receptables in air pressure communication at the tops f the receptacles, air pressure inlet valves for each of the re,- ceptacle compartments, an air exhaust valve for each of the receptacle compartments, a float for each receptacle compartment, a valve in each tank for the communicating means, float controlled means for operating said air pressure inlet valves the exhaust valves and valves for regulating communication between the compartments whereby Water in the receptacles maybe alternately displaced and replenished, each of said tanks having a water inlet opening therein, a pivoted closure member for each of said water inlet openings, and means carried by each closure member and the float in its respective tank to maintain the float member in its lowest position during replenishing of Water in the tank JOHN J. BROWN. 

